Major Nelson has just given a list of films that have been released on Xbox Live’s Video Marketplace.

• Skyland (Nicktoons) - Season 1, Episode 1 free until Monday 1/29 at 11:59PM PST
• Wild World of Spike
• Inconvenient Truth 2007 Academy Award nominated!
• Lady in the Water (HD)
• Beerfest (HD)
• Wickerman (HD)
• The Descent (HD)
• American Haunting (HD)
• See No Evil (HD)
• Blair Witch Project (HD)
• Requiem for a Dream (HD)
• Cecil B. Demented (HD)

I’m surprised to see Cecil B. Demented on there. It was a low-budget independent film from what I saw, definitely not mainstream material. Not a bad movie, not spectacular, but still surprising to see up there. I guess we can expect a wide variety of movies on Marketplace, not just typical Hollywood blockbusters.

- Chris (Grohdinger)

” Hudson Entertainment, one of the biggest supporters of Nintendo’s Virtual Console service, hinted this week that it is aware of plans by Nintendo to allow developers to make original games available through a new Wii download service in the future.

CVG quizzed Nintendo of Europe on the subject, and they said, “Nintendo has developed a programming system that will allow small independent developers to make games for Wii download service.

“We cannot confirm at this time in what format the new content will be delivered, but in the future there will be original games available for download through the Wii Shop.”

Nintendo’s Japanese president, Satoru Iwata, has previously spoken of his desire to turn Wii into the system where “the big ideas can prevail over big budgets,” and the obvious way to achieving such a reality is to allow for digital distribution via the internet. It’s only a matter of time now!”

Wow, Nintendo is doing it all. Way to go!

Yet again, thanks to Olly for tipping me off.

SOURCE

DISCUSS

-Ace

Pope Benedict The (Roman Numeral Here) has given a speech that condemns violence and scenes of a sexually explicit nature in videogames (and animation, but who cares about that?) during his latest speech.

Link

Pope Benedict XVI, the current head and spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, voiced his opinion on games today from the Vatican, saying that violent or sexually explicit games are a “perversion” and “repulsive.”

As part of the annual papal message for World Communications Day, the theme of which was “Children and the Media: A Challenge for Education,” the pope talked about the media’s effect on children, paying particular attention to games and films.

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According to GameStop, Guitar Hero 2 for the Xbox 360 has received a price, and that price is $89.99. Ouch. Better start saving those nickels and dimes. From the sounds of it, though, the controller is nicer, so you’re paying more money than the PS2 version for something.

- Chris (Grohdinger)

According to gaming blog site Kotaku, Blue Dragon will be getting its very own collectible card game. The game will be released April 21st in Japan, side by side with the Anime adaptation of the game.

If the anime gets released State-side, then I can see the card game being released as well. I don’t quite get the idea of releasing an anime of an RPG, though, when you’re trying to use the game to sell consoles to Japan. I mean, the anime just gives people a way to see the story without buying the system.

- Chris (Grohdinger)

As reported by Gamasutra, Nintendo and Six Flags are going to be teaming up to spread the Wii-Love. Select Six Flags amusement parks will hold Wii gaming stations, and in return the two companies will work on marketing together, including an upcoming Six Flags sweepstakes to be held on Nintendo’s website. Besides that and typical PR talk, not much information is available.

I think Six Flags should make a Mario Kart themed ride, personally. Or a DK Jungle Swing type of deal.

The topic can be discussed in Poison Wii Frog’s thread here.

- Chris (Grohdinger)

Dare I say “ZOGM”? I don’t hide the fact that I’m a GR:AW fanboy too well, I hope this means that Europe gets it too, as I NEED to get my hands on this! Check out the scoop from OXM below:

Expect to sling on your goggles, reload your firearms and refresh your cross-com skills in an all new GRAW 2 demo - due to land on Xbox Live by this months end… if sources close to the production of the title are to be believed.

And whilst there is no confirmation on a drop date at this stage, the onset of the full release will no doubt have Ubisoft rushing to evac their new Warfighter into battle soon, giving fans of the franchise a teaser taste prior to any purchase.

Expect the first demo to be single player, as advertised on Ubisoft’s own homepage, with a possible multiplayer effort to follows in its Bafta award winning predecessors boot-prints somewhere along the line.

Can’t wait! Thanks to The Anderlation for the tip over at the forums.

-Andy

GoNintendo have a US list of upcoming confirmed Nintendo Wii games. Check it out:

Beyond the current library of 34 new Wii titles, the schedule for upcoming Wii releases includes:
Feb. 14 Wii Play with Wii Remote Nintendo
March 27 Disney’s Meet the Robinsons Buena Vista
March Bust-A-Move Bash Majesco
March Prince of Persia Rival Swords Ubisoft
March TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) Ubisoft
March Bionicle Heroes Eidos
March Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWII Ubisoft
Q1 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 EA
Q1 SSX Blur EA
Q1 The Godfather Blackhand Edition EA
Q1 Medal of Honor Vanguard EA
Q1 Sonic and the Secret Rings Sega

And not ofcourse to forget the old-school releases, click over to see:

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The Games Developer Conference has recently announced that game developer god Shigeru Miyamoto will give a keynote speech, entitled “A Creative Vision” as the main speaker of this year’s confrence. The announcement from the GDC website reads:

“Shigeru Miyamoto is perhaps the world’s most recognized video game developer, creator of industry icons like Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong and Nintendogs. In addition, he is the behind-the-scenes engine of innovation for many other notable Nintendo breakthroughs.”

In his keynote address at the 2007 Game Developers Conference, Shigeru Miyamoto will reveal how a singular creative vision drives his work, not only in terms of his world-renown software, but also in generating key technologies, including the current global phenomena, Nintendo DS and Wii. And he will challenge the audience to apply his approach in their own distinctive styles.”

I’m guessing Miyamoto-san will be talking about his creativity and inspirations, as well as Nintendo’s direction of making games for everyone taken with the DS and more recently the Wii. Be sure to stay tuned for the GDC coverage starting March 8!

-Name Taker

ATTENTION members! We have spots open in the Member of the Year awards, please take a minute to nominate or second members for the awards!

 The following awards still have spots open:

Artistic Recognition

Best Staff Member

Best Newbie

 Thank you for participation,

Ace